comptroller

noun

comp·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər  ˈkäm(p)-ˌtrō- 

käm(p)-ˈtrō-

1

: a royal-household official who examines and supervises expenditures

2

: a public official who audits government accounts and sometimes certifies expenditures

3

: controller sense 1c

comptrollership

kən-ˈtrō-lər-ˌship 

ˈkäm(p)-ˌtrō-, 

käm(p)-ˈtrō-

noun

Did you know?

If you think "comptroller" looks like a mistaken spelling of "controller," you're partially right. Today, "comptroller" is an established word that shares one of its meanings (sense 3) with "controller." The term did originate as a misspelling, however. Around the 15th century, Middle English speakers altered the spelling of "conterroller" (meaning "controller," from the Middle French contrerolleur) under the influence of the Middle French word compte ("account"). The resulting word, "comptroller," has attracted criticism over the years. Grammarian Henry Fowler condemned "comptroller" as "not merely archaic, but erroneous" in 1920, and a lexicographical column from 1931 agreed that "comptroller" is "erroneous and should not be accepted as correct." Nevertheless, such modern institutions as colleges and governments continue to have comptrollers. "Comptrollership" occasionally turns up as well.

Examples of comptroller in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The comptroller’s report last year estimated that the subsidy-eligible projects underway would yield more than 15,000 rental units, and more have entered the pipeline since then. — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026

The only one who did not show was Don Huffines, a Republican running for comptroller. — Rachel Royster july 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026

In May 2026, the state comptroller appointed a five-member advisory committee and issued a request for proposals for custody and liquidity services. — Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The bill, proposed by Democrats in the county’s legislative body, would limit the number of terms the county’s comptroller and executive could hold. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, alteration of countreroller controller

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for comptroller

• bipolar
• controller
• dipolar
• gaoler
• nonpolar
• premolar
• ambipolar
• areolar
• bronchiolar
• circumpolar
• equimolar
• monopolar

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Kids Definition

comptroller

noun

comp·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər  käm(p)- 

ˈkäm(p)-ˌtrō-lər

: a public official who examines financial accounts

Legal Definition

comptroller

noun

comp·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər, ˈkämp-ˌtrō- 

: the head accounting officer of a company or government